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Road Trip to Love #3
Running on Empty
It probably goes without saying that snuggling a black cat while wearing a white satin Vera Wang wedding dress is a terrible idea. But who knew it could lead to so much trouble?
Horror writer Paul Arken may be the best thing to happen to the genre since Stephen King, but he has a he’s suffering from a mean case of writer’s block. When his agent suggests he take a cross-country road trip to look for inspiration, he jumps at the opportunity.
But he never expected to find a runaway bride hiding in his camper or to become the subject of a nationwide manhunt. One thing’s for he’s feeling inspired to write again. But will he have to write his next book from behind bars?
The Road Trip to Love sweet romcom series features smart-as-a-whip heroines and swoon-worthy heroes as they navigate the speed bumps, u-turns, and detours that propel them toward a destination they never love.
Horror writer Paul Arken may be the best thing to happen to the genre since Stephen King, but he has a he’s suffering from a mean case of writer’s block. When his agent suggests he take a cross-country road trip to look for inspiration, he jumps at the opportunity.
But he never expected to find a runaway bride hiding in his camper or to become the subject of a nationwide manhunt. One thing’s for he’s feeling inspired to write again. But will he have to write his next book from behind bars?
The Road Trip to Love sweet romcom series features smart-as-a-whip heroines and swoon-worthy heroes as they navigate the speed bumps, u-turns, and detours that propel them toward a destination they never love.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2023
110 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Ash Keller
25books158followersAsh Keller writes clean contemporary romance and romantic comedies. Her books are sweet on heat but big on heart. She lives in the rolling hills of Kentucky with her wonderful husband, three mischievous cats, and a couple of bossy backyard chickens that peck on the door to demand treats. For the latest news and exclusive content, subscribe to her
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
January 31, 2023
I'm so glad I binge read this series because each of these books put a smile on my face! I loved every character, the settings of the books, the wholesome relationships, and how each couple had a pet that played a big role in the story. Running on Empty is a short story within the series but that didn't make it any less enjoyable! It was great to get Paul's story!! If you're in the mood to binge a few romcoms that can be read in one sitting then these are the books for you! They are all adorable!
February 27, 2023
Oh, what a fun romcom! Since meeting Annie and Paul in Not Happy Campers I’ve been eagerly anticipating their story, and it most definitely did not disappoint!
This story was a delight to read, and had me laughing out loud more than once!
Ash Keller is a talented writer, I love her writing voice, and the way she tells stories never fails to hold my attention from beginning to end!
Running on Empty is a hilarious, short and sweet romance that is certain to bring a smile to your day, it sure did mine!
I loved this book and highly recommend it! I cannot wait to read anything and everything that Ash Keller writes next!
(5 Stars!)
I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book from the author!
My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
This story was a delight to read, and had me laughing out loud more than once!
Ash Keller is a talented writer, I love her writing voice, and the way she tells stories never fails to hold my attention from beginning to end!
Running on Empty is a hilarious, short and sweet romance that is certain to bring a smile to your day, it sure did mine!
I loved this book and highly recommend it! I cannot wait to read anything and everything that Ash Keller writes next!
(5 Stars!)
I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book from the author!
My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
February 24, 2023
This was definitely better than the second book in the series christmas crasher and not quite as good as the first, not Happy campers.
In this very short story, I was surprised to actually enjoy the scenes and not feel like they were rushed! I think this is because we got a good insight into both characters from the first book. Without that, I'm not sure if it would have read as well.
I adore Paul and Annie they are both such characters, and their story is absolutely crazy one that could only exist in a book! That poor Vera Wang wedding dress.. I felt the chemistry between them and adored the whole book.
In this very short story, I was surprised to actually enjoy the scenes and not feel like they were rushed! I think this is because we got a good insight into both characters from the first book. Without that, I'm not sure if it would have read as well.
I adore Paul and Annie they are both such characters, and their story is absolutely crazy one that could only exist in a book! That poor Vera Wang wedding dress.. I felt the chemistry between them and adored the whole book.
September 18, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. It was short and sweet and had just enough to keep it going. All because she choose a cat and a quiet place to sleep.
April 12, 2023
Can we get Hallmark on the phone? I absolutely loved this story! I kept stopping my reading to catch my husband up on what was happening. Plus, I also have a black cat whom I love. This is a short story within a series but can be read as a standalone. Although, I promise you, you’ll want to dive right into the series the second you’re done.
Meet Annie. She’s engaged and on the run with her cat in a wedding dress she did not pay for. Meet Paul. He is a horror writer who returns to his Airstream to find a sleeping woman in a wedding dress and a cat. What happens when she wakes up? Will Annie be able to escape her soon-to-be fiancé? Will Paul lose his ability to write?
Keller really is amongst the champions of short romantic comedies with this novella, in my less than humble opinion. What’s not to love? I loved the characters, settings, clean romance, and the pets. This sweet romance-rescue is everything you want out of a novella, and more! Readers rejoice, there are no sex, violence, or language warnings with this hit from Keller.
Thank you to the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Meet Annie. She’s engaged and on the run with her cat in a wedding dress she did not pay for. Meet Paul. He is a horror writer who returns to his Airstream to find a sleeping woman in a wedding dress and a cat. What happens when she wakes up? Will Annie be able to escape her soon-to-be fiancé? Will Paul lose his ability to write?
Keller really is amongst the champions of short romantic comedies with this novella, in my less than humble opinion. What’s not to love? I loved the characters, settings, clean romance, and the pets. This sweet romance-rescue is everything you want out of a novella, and more! Readers rejoice, there are no sex, violence, or language warnings with this hit from Keller.
Thank you to the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Read
March 12, 2023Running on Empty: A Sweet Romantic Comedy (Road Trip to Love Book 3)
By Ash Keller
Pages 72
Pub Date: 1/9/23
If you enjoy...
◇Short stories
◇Rom Coms
◇Black cat 🐈⬛�
◇Fast-paced stories
◇Clean/Closed door romance
I recommend looking into this one, and honestly, all the books by this author.
Really enjoyed this fun, fast-paced romance, and it also had a black 🐈⬛� which I always love!
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All thoughts and opinions are my own �
By Ash Keller
Pages 72
Pub Date: 1/9/23
If you enjoy...
◇Short stories
◇Rom Coms
◇Black cat 🐈⬛�
◇Fast-paced stories
◇Clean/Closed door romance
I recommend looking into this one, and honestly, all the books by this author.
Really enjoyed this fun, fast-paced romance, and it also had a black 🐈⬛� which I always love!
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All thoughts and opinions are my own �
Read
September 29, 2024Can’t wait for this book to arrive!! The whole series is phenomenal 👏🏻👏🏻
Also suggestion to the author, can the books be categorized under series, because even though they are part of a series it doesn’t show which order it should be read in, so it’s better if it was all sorted out in a Series/section, that normally in ŷ shows under the book title, there would be ( the series name�.. # the order e.g.1,2,3 or book 1, book 2, book3 etc�)
Also suggestion to the author, can the books be categorized under series, because even though they are part of a series it doesn’t show which order it should be read in, so it’s better if it was all sorted out in a Series/section, that normally in ŷ shows under the book title, there would be ( the series name�.. # the order e.g.1,2,3 or book 1, book 2, book3 etc�)
January 17, 2023
Cute, but short. I liked how Annie found something to stand for. My favorite scene was with the shrew and the police officer! So funny!
January 17, 2023
It's pretty rare I feel for me to give novellas less than 3 stars, but I truly felt disappointed by this entry.
I think I was expecting more of the same from what I got from Not Happy Campers. Although that was a similar length, I felt it covered more ground and also brought more depth. Running on Empty never really seemed to get going, I think the main trouble was in poor pacing.
Annie runs out of her wedding dress fitting when she decides to take her life into her own hands. She ends up in Paul's trailer, who s trying to recapture his zest for writing. They then get married because the media thinks Paul kidnapped Annie (and that was the only solution....). Then they decide to stay married. That's the book. If that sounds yada yada'd that was my experience with this read. There was no character development. Paul started and ended the book in the same place. Even though Annie makes this huge change at the start of the book, this wasn't actually a substitute for character development. Aside from attraction (which also didn't feel convincing), Paul and Annie as a couple was never given enough attention.
I feel that we spent too much time setting up the initial premise of Annie getting out from under her mother's thumb. It may have been better to start the book with Paul finding Annie in his trailer, and fill in the rest through the story. At least this would have allowed the book to spend more time with the actual couple and we could see them interact more than the one time that they did.
Novellas are great as quick reads, but that doesn't mean that it shouldn't contain a cohesive story (which in my mean opinion, this one did not).
I'm sure this would work well for others, but for me this was a disappointing read.
I think I was expecting more of the same from what I got from Not Happy Campers. Although that was a similar length, I felt it covered more ground and also brought more depth. Running on Empty never really seemed to get going, I think the main trouble was in poor pacing.
Annie runs out of her wedding dress fitting when she decides to take her life into her own hands. She ends up in Paul's trailer, who s trying to recapture his zest for writing. They then get married because the media thinks Paul kidnapped Annie (and that was the only solution....). Then they decide to stay married. That's the book. If that sounds yada yada'd that was my experience with this read. There was no character development. Paul started and ended the book in the same place. Even though Annie makes this huge change at the start of the book, this wasn't actually a substitute for character development. Aside from attraction (which also didn't feel convincing), Paul and Annie as a couple was never given enough attention.
I feel that we spent too much time setting up the initial premise of Annie getting out from under her mother's thumb. It may have been better to start the book with Paul finding Annie in his trailer, and fill in the rest through the story. At least this would have allowed the book to spend more time with the actual couple and we could see them interact more than the one time that they did.
Novellas are great as quick reads, but that doesn't mean that it shouldn't contain a cohesive story (which in my mean opinion, this one did not).
I'm sure this would work well for others, but for me this was a disappointing read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2023
Running On Empty
Reader’s Notes:
� this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
� this is told from Annie & Paul’s points of view
� there is an age gap of about 8 years between them
Review:
This was a quick and funny story! I loved the bafflement Paul had when he found Annie in his camper and that he just kind of went along with whatever she thought was best. I loved that Annie took charge of her life and refused to live by someone else’s standards after the straw that broke the camel’s back. Together, the two of them were a force to be reckoned with on this hilarious road trip to love. 😍
Summary:
Annie is constantly trying to live up to her parents� expectations. But when her soon to be fiancé accidentally sends her a text she wasn’t supposed to receive, Annie is done pretending to be someone she’s not. So she runs away with the clothes on her back (which happens to be a wedding dress) and a stray cat she found. Which is how she ends up in the back of a camper in the middle of a road trip�
Paul is a bestselling author with writers block. In an effort to get out of this funk, it’s suggested that he take some time off and to take a road trip. Maybe something he sees along the way will help break the bad luck he’s been having. Paul never expected a runaway bride and a black cat in his camper to be the sight that reignites his imagination. He also didn’t expect the woman to come with a whole slew of new problems for both of them�
Reader’s Notes:
� this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
� this is told from Annie & Paul’s points of view
� there is an age gap of about 8 years between them
Review:
This was a quick and funny story! I loved the bafflement Paul had when he found Annie in his camper and that he just kind of went along with whatever she thought was best. I loved that Annie took charge of her life and refused to live by someone else’s standards after the straw that broke the camel’s back. Together, the two of them were a force to be reckoned with on this hilarious road trip to love. 😍
Summary:
Annie is constantly trying to live up to her parents� expectations. But when her soon to be fiancé accidentally sends her a text she wasn’t supposed to receive, Annie is done pretending to be someone she’s not. So she runs away with the clothes on her back (which happens to be a wedding dress) and a stray cat she found. Which is how she ends up in the back of a camper in the middle of a road trip�
Paul is a bestselling author with writers block. In an effort to get out of this funk, it’s suggested that he take some time off and to take a road trip. Maybe something he sees along the way will help break the bad luck he’s been having. Paul never expected a runaway bride and a black cat in his camper to be the sight that reignites his imagination. He also didn’t expect the woman to come with a whole slew of new problems for both of them�
January 14, 2023
Running on Empty is an adorable short story about Susannah (Annie) Sparrow and Paul Arken, two people who lead different lives but are both running away from the things holding them back. Susannah has the “perfect� life, being groomed to be a governor's wife, like her mother and possible first lady. However, Susannah doesn’t love the man her parents want her to marry, Senator Jeremiah Roberts, who plans on running for President one day. While her mother forces her into early wedding dress shopping, she finds a black cat and decides that it’s time to take matters into her own hands in what she sees as the beginning of a second chance. Meanwhile, famous horror writer Paul Arken is forced to take a road trip by his agent as he has been suffering from major writer's block and needs his next work published like yesterday. Due to an accidental mix-up, Susannah (Annie) and Paul cross paths. Will it be for better or for worse?
I was sent this book by the author as an ARC, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the banter and chemistry right off the bat between Susannah and Paul. Although their relationship was fast-paced, I enjoyed it as it made sense with the situational context of what was going on around them. Running on Empty is the perfect quick read after a long day and a great short story.
(Although I was sent this as an ARC this is an honest review.)
I was sent this book by the author as an ARC, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the banter and chemistry right off the bat between Susannah and Paul. Although their relationship was fast-paced, I enjoyed it as it made sense with the situational context of what was going on around them. Running on Empty is the perfect quick read after a long day and a great short story.
(Although I was sent this as an ARC this is an honest review.)
March 29, 2025
This book was pure rom-com gold!Annie is such a sweetheart—her love for animals is next level,and the fact that she ruined an expensive wedding dress just to save Lucky says everything about her.She was so brave to walk away from her mother’s expectations and a loveless engagement with Jeremiah(good riddance,lol!).And Paul?Absolute gem.In a world where people barely trust their neighbors,he let a runaway bride and her mischievous cat stay in his camper—what a man!Not only is he an amazing writer,but he also turned out to be the best husband ever.Honestly,I have to thank fate(or the lord,lol)for throwing Annie into his life because,without her,who knows if he’d ever escape his writer’s block?Their relationship was chaotic,hilarious,and so sweet,and that unexpected marriage?Adorable.So glad they got their happily-ever-after!Their daughter,Sierra was as brave & independent as her mother,Annie,and as kind & generous as her father,Paul.
January 11, 2023
Paul and Annie have a hilarious first meeting that unexpectedly leads to a love match. Paul never imagined his road trip would include a couple of stowaways�..a runaway bride and her cat. After a harrowing day with her controlling mother, Annie decided flight was her only answer. Unfortunately, she was garbed in an expensive wedding gown, has taken custody of a stray black cat and now finds herself in another state with an handsome stranger after falling asleep in his camper. To top it all off, her parents and would be fiancé have reported her missing. Poor Paul, a well known author, may now become an unwitting felon. At least this adventure has cured his writer’s block!
This book is a short, delightfully funny read. I received an Arc of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This book is a short, delightfully funny read. I received an Arc of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
January 10, 2023
This is such a cute book, I loved it. Ash Keller is such a talented writer. Susannah Sparrow is the daughter of the Governor of Kentucky. Her parents want her to marry Senator Jeremiah Roberts. But Annie thinks he’s boring. Then she meets Paul when she stows away in his airstream with the kitten she rescued. There are so many cute parts of this book, but the one that I especially liked was when Lucky brought the shrew into the motor home and Annie and Paul both ended up on the table top. It’s a pretty quick read but oh so enjoyable.
I was given this advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was given this advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 15, 2024
I wonder if it is even possible to write a romcom of this length where you feel connected to the characters? This was one of those "read me in an hour" books, basically between a short story and a novelette in length. I don't know, the writing was competent, but the actions of the characters felt unmotivated and strange. And maybe I'm uptight, but the way it started with her wearing a very expensive wedding dress in a store, not sure if she was going to buy it and not really caring that she got cat hair all over it was a major turn off right away. I'm the kind of person that respects expensive things that don't belong to me.
August 22, 2024
The third book in the Road Trip to Love...I loved it. Ann will do anything for her mom, but enough is enough. Why has she agreed to try on a wedding dress when she hasn’t gotten a proposal yet?
What happens next is funny to say the least when she takes off, and hides out in a camper. She has no clue who’s it belongs to. When the man comes back she’s taken by surprise. She protects herself, but she’s the one who’s trespassing. It seems like Paul is a nice guy, and looks out for. Not to mention accepts her idea which is crazy to say the least.
Must read book as the series is too.
What happens next is funny to say the least when she takes off, and hides out in a camper. She has no clue who’s it belongs to. When the man comes back she’s taken by surprise. She protects herself, but she’s the one who’s trespassing. It seems like Paul is a nice guy, and looks out for. Not to mention accepts her idea which is crazy to say the least.
Must read book as the series is too.
September 20, 2024
Runaway in a wedding gown
While this story predates book 1 (Not Happy Campers) I have been dying to know how Annie and Paul got together. Their story is unconventional to say the least but when you know, you know. Annie is a whirlwind, or impulsive if you're her mother, but she's a girl after my own heart. Paul just needed a muse and didn't know it would come in the form of a runaway in a wedding gown. I love how they found each other and how their happily ever after played out. Maybe we'll get a story of the next generation, but for now this was a great end to the series.
While this story predates book 1 (Not Happy Campers) I have been dying to know how Annie and Paul got together. Their story is unconventional to say the least but when you know, you know. Annie is a whirlwind, or impulsive if you're her mother, but she's a girl after my own heart. Paul just needed a muse and didn't know it would come in the form of a runaway in a wedding gown. I love how they found each other and how their happily ever after played out. Maybe we'll get a story of the next generation, but for now this was a great end to the series.
January 13, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this book! From the start I found myself smiling a lot. After two days I had to read it again I enjoyed t so much. I found myself imagining Annie and Paul in various scenes. My favorite, however, is Annie wearing the wedding dress with cat hair all over and Stacy batting her with lint rollers. That made quite a picture!
I received a free copy of this book from the author,, and this is my honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from the author,, and this is my honest review.
January 20, 2023
One Lucky cat
I waited a long time for this book, and it was SOOO worth every minute. This is the third book in the Road Trip to Love series. The characters are fully rounded, and the situations they end ip onvolved in are hysterically funny. I'm glad the characters were able to laugh at them as well.
I received an ARC copy of this story from the author via BookFunnel and voluntarily chose to share my review.
I waited a long time for this book, and it was SOOO worth every minute. This is the third book in the Road Trip to Love series. The characters are fully rounded, and the situations they end ip onvolved in are hysterically funny. I'm glad the characters were able to laugh at them as well.
I received an ARC copy of this story from the author via BookFunnel and voluntarily chose to share my review.
January 10, 2023
A short and very funny book
I was able to sit down and read it after dinner and finish it completely. While I finished the book quickly it had some really funny parts in it. I like the idea that a woman kept the cat and lost the fiance. The author uses her words wisely in the story otherwise she couldn't give you a full story with such few words. I like that about it.
I was able to sit down and read it after dinner and finish it completely. While I finished the book quickly it had some really funny parts in it. I like the idea that a woman kept the cat and lost the fiance. The author uses her words wisely in the story otherwise she couldn't give you a full story with such few words. I like that about it.
January 11, 2023
Kisses only. We first meet Paul and Annie in book 1 so this is a prequel in a way. I really liked the first 13 chapters then, it seemed like the author met her quota of words and the book suddenly wraps up just when things were getting good. There was enough interest in the characters and enough drama to draw the book out a bit instead of jumping ahead and just ending the thing.
January 11, 2023
This is a cute little novella that takes hardly any time to read but was fully entertaining. It is light, a little quirky, and just fun. There isn't a lot to it since it is so short but the chapters are full of good stuff. Perfect for when you just a have little time but want an entire story in one sitting. It would be a fun Hallmark movie plot.
No sex, language or violence
No sex, language or violence
February 18, 2023
Short, but super sweet, funny
This is just a short read but was super cute. Only 72 pages so you can easily read it in a day or on a short break from daily life. It has a great meat cute. I love the cat and the wedding dress. Lots of unexpected turns to the story. I appreciated it for the lighthearted escape that it is.
Rating: G, clean, wholesome
This is just a short read but was super cute. Only 72 pages so you can easily read it in a day or on a short break from daily life. It has a great meat cute. I love the cat and the wedding dress. Lots of unexpected turns to the story. I appreciated it for the lighthearted escape that it is.
Rating: G, clean, wholesome
February 18, 2023
This is the second book I've read by this author (chronologically, it precedes the first book in this series, which I read first, and then I skipped to this one), and so far she's batting two for two. I've really enjoyed both books, and this one made me laugh out loud. It has ridiculous situations mixed with clever lines, and it was great.
Content: clean. No profanity or sex.
Content: clean. No profanity or sex.
September 28, 2023
I really enjoyed this short fun romance book. Annie is a wealthy socialite whose been brought up to be quiet and accommodating. Her father is a governor and her mother wants her to be the wife of an up and coming senator. A black cat triggers her rebellion. I very fun laugh out loud feel good story.
January 18, 2024
LOVED IT!!
Paul and Annie are adorable! Imagine going for a camping trip only to discover a stow away in your camper, and the next day that you’re the subject of a nationwide manhunt in the kidnapping of a senators daughter! Looks like Paul could be in a lot of trouble, but Annie has the perfect solution to solve all their problems! They just need to get married!!
Paul and Annie are adorable! Imagine going for a camping trip only to discover a stow away in your camper, and the next day that you’re the subject of a nationwide manhunt in the kidnapping of a senators daughter! Looks like Paul could be in a lot of trouble, but Annie has the perfect solution to solve all their problems! They just need to get married!!
February 17, 2024
This whole series was cute, but they got shorter as it went along. I really liked the introduction of these two characters in the first one and would’ve liked to have gotten more of their story than we did. I think all of these could have been full length novels instead of novellas, but again, still very cute.
September 16, 2024
Very short fun romcom. This author does clean, fast fun stories. This one had a famous author in an airstream cruising the country, trying to come out of writer block. The girl is a rich girl who has a mom that runs her life (including trying to marry her off to a potential presidential candidate. She bolts and hides in the airstream.
January 9, 2023
Love it!
I just love this author's books! Where else would you find fully developed characters who meet in the oddest of circumstances, fall in love quickly, and you believe every word of it! Such a good novella!
I just love this author's books! Where else would you find fully developed characters who meet in the oddest of circumstances, fall in love quickly, and you believe every word of it! Such a good novella!
January 10, 2023
Loved this book. It was very entertaining and great if you don't have much time to read. I loved reading about how Annie and Paul got together as in the previous book they are already married. Can't wait to read more books from this author.
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